An Accra Circuit Court has remanded a 60-year-old retired fire officer, Thomas Dorkenu, into custody over allegations that he collected GH¢303,200 from 60 prospective recruits under the guise of securing their enlistment into the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS).
Dorkenu, who is facing a charge of defrauding by false pretences, was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before the court presided over by Mr Kwabena Kodua Obiri-Yeboah.
The case has been adjourned to August 12, 2026.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, the accused allegedly claimed he had access to recruitment slots through protocol arrangements and could facilitate the enlistment of applicants into the Fire Service.
The prosecution told the court that on February 9, 2026, Dorkenu allegedly approached Ms Eyram Davordzi-Banini, a midwife at Akatsi, and informed her that he had secured recruitment slots from the Chief Fire Officer.
He allegedly asked her to mobilise interested applicants.
The court heard that Ms Davordzi-Banini subsequently organised 60 prospective recruits, who collectively paid GH¢303,200 to Dorkenu as what he described as approved protocol fees.
The prosecution alleged that Dorkenu later issued purported appointment letters directing the applicants to report to the Ghana National Fire Service Training School on July 23, 2026.
However, when the applicants arrived for training, they were allegedly informed that the appointment letters were not authentic.
The disappointed applicants subsequently lodged a complaint with the Chief Fire Officer, leading to investigations and Dorkenu’s arrest.
Police said the accused was handed over together with a Tecno Spark C30 mobile phone, which investigators believe may have been used in the alleged fraudulent scheme.
According to the prosecution, Dorkenu admitted receiving the money in his caution statement made in the presence of an independent witness but claimed that he had also been deceived by another individual through a Telecel phone number.
The court heard that the mobile phone has been submitted for digital forensic examination, while investigators continue efforts to trace the user of the Telecel number as part of the ongoing investigations into the alleged recruitment scam.
